MBSE Chapter 150

The initial candidate registration included a total of seven individuals, including Chang and Ian. Among them, three were not department heads.

The challenge from the department heads was lower than expected, likely because taking over immediately after Minister Wesley was a daunting task in itself. Not only was her capability remarkable, but dealing with the aftermath of her actions was a problem in and of itself.

‘The current flow is like a storm. Charging in recklessly will only result in being torn apart. Let’s wait for an opportunity and aim for a later time.’

Such was the sentiment of the department heads. Of course, there were quite a few who had no interest at all, like Hale. Anyway, even if the Ministry of Magic were to select the next minister internally, they would still need to obtain approval from the imperial court in the end.

No one knew when or how the situation might change.

“Well then, let’s conclude the candidate registration for now, and we’ll schedule the election for next week. The proceedings will be conducted fairly by the department heads who haven’t registered as candidates, united together. I swear on the honor of a mage.”

“There will be simple procedures in between, including mana verification, so keep that in mind. We’ll notify the candidates separately and share the results as well.”

“How about we adjourn for now? Since His Highness Gale has regained consciousness without issue, it would be good to rest a bit and reconvene to discuss countermeasures.”

While Ian attended the emergency meeting, the mages endured an equally arduous time. It was evident from the slouched postures of Tommy and Nakina. Ian nodded, signaling his agreement.

“Very well. For the mages currently conducting on-site investigations and those verifying the forbidden magic books, please have each department rotate shifts. Also, any communication from the imperial palace will go through me, so keep the emergency summoning magic open at all times.”

Chang pursed his lips. The sight of a young and inexperienced fellow taking the lead like this was irksome. If they had been present at the scene, they could have subdued Wesley without issue. They might have even succeeded before His Highness Gale was cursed. While there are no hypotheticals in the past, the human mind is always brimming with them.

“And Department Head Akorella.”

“Hm? Why do you say that!? Minister Ian!”

“Are you crazy? You’ve lost it, Akorella!”

At Ian’s call, Akorella’s eyes sparkled as she responded. Despite the other department heads’ requests for her to maintain decorum, she didn’t budge an inch. She was also a force to be reckoned with in a different sense, and Ian thought as much with a grin.

“Department Head Akorella, please have a word with me for a moment. I have something to discuss with you regarding the delivery of Luron stones.”

“Great! Absolutely wonderful!”

“Well then, ha, we’ll be taking our leave first.”

“Chang, you should also meet with us briefly.”

“Ahem. Good work. If anything comes up, issue the summoning order immediately.”

All the mages rose in unison and exited the meeting room. Only Akorella, her subordinates, and the Magic Operations Department remained in the empty space.

Ian turned to Hale and asked.

“Department Head, if you’re hungry, you can go ahead first.”

“It’s fine. Let’s eat together. We’re family, after all.”

Despite his words, Hale’s intention was to assist Ian during his negotiations with the Mana Stone Management Department. Judging from Akorella’s reaction, it seemed she was already halfway won over.

Unable to contain her excitement, Akorella pressed close to Ian. Her crimson eyes sparkled dangerously.

“So, where are the Luron stones now? Since you mentioned relying on sir Romandro’s residence, are they there?”

“No. They are being stored elsewhere.”

“Let’s go! Right now!”

“Uh, Department Head Akorella. But can you receive a delivery of 80 kilograms all at once?”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

Ian lightly perched on the table and counted on his fingers, as if telling them to listen carefully to what he was about to say.

“As you said, 80 kilograms of Luron stones exceed the Ministry of Magic’s budget for several years, making it an extremely high-priced item. Given the Ministry of Magic’s current situation, it’s not ideal to carry it over to the next year for purchase.”

Now that the imperial court had realized that the mages’ abilities could sway the existence of Variel, disciplinary measures would undoubtedly be imposed under the pretext of keeping them in check. Among them, the most basic would be budget cuts. Akorella reacted with astonishment and vehemence.

“Ah, no, that can’t be! I was incredibly excited earlier! I haven’t been able to conduct any other research due to the truth serum research! Those higher-ups tell us to use each grain sparingly, but honestly, is that even a valid statement? Let’s use a chunk of it for once! Please!”

“Calm down. So, I’d like to make a proposal. I’ll deliver the entire 80 kilograms at once, at a slightly lower price than the market rate, and we can arrange for the payment to be made over an extended period.”

While it would be spread over a long time, given the enormous sum, 10,000 gold coins would be no issue right away. Akorella heaved deep breaths, trying to quell her excitement.

“…Really?”

“That’s right.”

“As expected of Minister Ian.”

Slap!

She extended her hand with satisfaction. Tommy and Nakina gave sympathetic looks to Akorella’s subordinates. Since the state of their department head was far from ideal, it was unimaginable how difficult it must be for those under her.

“But there will be something for me to do in return, right?”

Ian grasped Akorella’s hand and smiled.

“I understand that while all departments in the Ministry of Magic are intricately connected, there are specific departments that frequently collaborate with each other.”

“Indeed. Especially for other departments in need of mana stones, we are very, very important to them! Ahahaha!”

Mana stones were used more extensively than one might think. They could be embedded in place of lacking parts of defensive formations to enhance security, and they were used in magical tools and potions that supplemented depleted mana, among other things. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were used in every aspect except for magic formations.

Given the nature of mages who preferred magical training, the Mana Stone Management Department had low recognition, but its influence was by no means inferior.

‘After all, there are no unnecessary departments in the Ministry of Magic.’

“Akorella, please inform them. If I become the minister, there will be no budget cuts for the Ministry of Magic, and we can push for the commercialization of the truth serum.”

At Ian’s words, everyone flinched. Not only the members of the Mana Stone Management Department but also Hale, Tommy, and Nakina. Wasn’t the truth serum agenda something that all departments except the Ministry of Magic had vehemently opposed?

Yet he claimed he could push it through?

“Ian, are you serious?”

“This is a matter that has been fully discussed with His Highness.”

He didn’t specify which prince. However, most of them were aware that Ian and Mariv were in cahoots.

‘Indeed, it was Mariv’s faction that had strongly opposed the truth serum, so if Ian becomes the minister, it might become possible. However, the entire Ministry of Magic would be tinted with Mariv’s colors.’

Akorella didn’t care. On the contrary, if one considered it carefully, it was only natural. With His Highness Gale even being cursed, if they continued to support him, they would be cleaned up together.

The Ministry of Magic ultimately belonged to the imperial palace. Power shifts were inevitable, and that was the natural flow of history.

“I don’t mind either way. As long as I can continue my research.”

“If the truth serum is commercialized, additional income can also be guaranteed for the mages. Furthermore, it will restore the shaken prestige of the Ministry of Magic due to the Wesley incident. This applies not only to the relevant departments but to everyone.”

Moreover, the mages’ support for Gale was largely influenced by Wesley. Without her, there was no reason for it to be Gale specifically.

“Okay! I understand!”

Snap!

Akorella excitedly snapped her fingers repeatedly. Then she shook her body from head to toe as if experiencing a shudder.

“If I vote for you, my research will prosper! Is that it?”

“More or less.”

“Got it. Then, before the mana verification, I’ll contact the other departments and spread the word. I’ll even arrange meetings. There are numerous fools who secretly received aphrodisiacs from us! I have it all recorded in the ledger! Ahahaha!”

If they don’t vote, she’ll expose it! Since they received it secretly from their lovers, where would they have used it? It might cause quite a stir. Watching Akorella’s sinister laughter, Ian realized he had unexpectedly drawn a dangerous individual to his side.

Indeed, one should never carelessly provoke those obsessed with something.

“…That’s a pleasant thing to hear.”

“Hale, you have a very capable junior!”

“If he becomes the minister, he won’t be a junior anymore.”

Akorella then offered a handshake to Hale as well. The same went for the subordinates of the two departments standing guard in the back. Although they were colleagues who had shared joys and sorrows, it felt strange to form an alliance like this.

“Among the other candidates, there won’t be anyone else backed by His Highness.”

And not just Mariv, but both Mariv and Gale simultaneously.

Honestly, Ian didn’t find it difficult to secure the minister’s position. The real issue was what would happen after becoming the minister, after establishing a separate residence for the Ministry of Magic in a stable situation.

‘Since the investigation into forbidden magic is underway, we’ll definitely find clues related to Naum’s magic.’

In a way, Wesley’s misdeeds were a boon for Ian. Not only did they lead to a rise in his status, but they also allowed him to uncover various clues.

Suddenly, Ian recalled Naum’s last words.

-Sir Ian. It’s alright. There are always, always opportunities. The gods do not give us problems without answers.

If he went back, could he meet Naum while he was still alive? Or would he return after everything had ended? In that case, would it mean he had found the right answers?

What if he couldn’t go back…?

“Ian.”

His thoughts stretched endlessly, but they were easily interrupted by Department Head Hale’s call. Ian immediately composed himself and turned to face him.

“Yes. Department Head.”

“It seems you have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

Following Department Head Hale’s gaze, Ian turned his head. Through the slightly open gap, a round face peeked in. It was Romandro. He smiled awkwardly and cautiously called out to Ian.

“Um, are you all very busy? The office was completely empty when I went there.”

“No. We’re all finished here.”

“I see. Then let’s wrap things up here. Ian. I’ll be waiting for your contact. I’ll, heheheh. I’ll kill everything that gets in the way.”

Akorella let out an evil laugh and signaled to her subordinates. They bid a casual farewell and left the meeting room. Romandro glanced at her retreating figure and wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.

“Are all mages like that?”

“That one seems to be a bit unusual. But what brings you here? Aren’t you busy?”

After Wesley’s incident, Romandro had also spent a hectic day. The upheaval in the imperial palace meant the administrative department was also in disarray. He had barely managed to find a moment amidst the nonstop work.

“I received a message from Vivianna. She said a vagrant came to the residence, handed over these items, and demanded compensation.”

He grinned at Department Head Hale and greeted him, then whispered to Ian. What Romandro was holding was a crumpled piece of paper and a compass connected to a mana brooch. It was what Berik had taken with him.

“It seems Berik has left the capital.”

“I’m not sure about that. The vagrant apparently came from a nearby slum. Anyway, Vivianna immediately sent someone to deliver it to the administrative department. Take a look.”

Swish.

While he wasn’t the type to get beaten and killed somewhere, it was indeed worrisome that this was the only contact after a week. As Ian unfolded the paper, Romandro also stretched his neck to read it together.

-Iann. Cometo me. Foundtea trapd!

“This is…”

Was it written with charcoal lying around? Putting aside the sloppy handwriting and poor spelling, it was too faded to decipher. Romandro scratched his chin and muttered.

“Could it be written by Hasha?”

“Romandro. Hasha is a dog.”

“Ah, right. Indeed.”

“It’s more likely that he drew it as instructed by Hasha.”

“What will you do? Will you go and fetch him?”

At Romandro’s question, Ian checked the compass. Something must have happened that prevented Berik from coming alone, prompting him to contact them like this.

Ian smiled faintly and nodded.

“I happen to have some time.”